John Henry Bender

JOHN HENRY BENDER John Henry Bender, 67, of Sebring, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 1, 2012. He was born November 6, 1944, to Wilbur W. and Elizabeth Jean (Kamradt) Bender in Charlevoix, Michigan. He served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, from 1965-1985 and was briefly stationed on the USNS Harkness out of Norfolk, VA. After his military retirement, he moved back to Michigan, where he was employed by Hayworth Office Furniture for the next 15 years. In 2003, he retired and moved to Sebring to be near his family. John was a Deacon at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, where he was actively involved. You could often find John out at the ball field where he loved watching and cheering on his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Bender; brothers, Paul Bender and Ed Bender; son, John (Chastity) Bender, Jr.; daughters, Dawn (Lamonte) Simpson and Twila (Philip) Mitchell; seven grandchildren; Anna (James) Boone, Kyle Simpson, Ethan Mitchell, Clara Simpson, John Bender, III, Elizabeth Bender and Elijah Bender. He was preceded in death by his sister, Fran Pinkley. He will be interred at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, FL. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in his memory to Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, 5887 US Highway 98, Sebring, FL 33876 or the American Diabetes Association, 4902 Eisenhower Blvd., Suite 295, Tampa, FL 33634. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Sebring, Florida 33870 863-385-0125 www.stephensonnelsonfh.com